Question:
What is the ruling concerning celebrating birthdays?
Sheikh
`Abdul-`Azeez Bin Baz رحمه الله
Answer:
Celebrating birthdays has NO source whatsoever in the pure Shari’ah.
In
fact, it is an innovation, since the Messenger of Allaah (صلى الله عليه وسلم) said,
“Whoever introduces
anything into this matter of ours that does not belong to it shall have it
rejected.”
(Bukhari & Muslim)
In
a version recorded by Muslim and by al-Bukhari in definitive Muallaq form.
"Whoever performs a deed which is not in
accord with our affairs, that deed is rejected.”
It
is well-known that the Prophet (صلى الله عليه
وسلم) did not celebrate his birthday at all during
his lifetime nor did he ever order it to be celebrated. Nor did he teach such
to his Companions.
Therefore,
the rightly-guided caliphs and all of his Companions did not celebrate it. They
are the most knowledgeable of the people concerning his Sunnah and they are the
most beloved to the Prophet (صلى الله عليه
وسلم). They were also the most keen upon following
whatever the Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم) brought.
Therefore,
if one is supposed to celebrate the Prophet (صلى الله عليه
وسلم) birthday, this would have been made evident at
their time.
